The smart learner’s guide: How to get driving test-ready

With driving test slots almost as hard to get as Glastonbury tickets, you need to be 100% ready when your date finally rolls around. While professional driving lessons are a must, private practice is essential for building real-world confidence. So, we’ve partnered with Veygo to bring you the smart learner’s guide to getting driving test-ready.

The 22-hour sweet spot

There’s no minimum number of lessons or practice hours required, but with 27 skills to learn before taking your test, it helps to get some practice in! And research shows that learners who combine professional lessons with private practice tend to do better in their tests.

According to the DVSA, 22 hours of private practice alongside 45 hours of driving lessons is the sweet spot. And if you want to be a really safe driver, then 100 hours in total is the goal.

Even if you’re away at uni, Veygo’s Learner Driver Insurance means you can practise in the family car in the holidays, helping to build up those hours.

The L-Plate checklist

So how do you go about doing this?

No “no claims” drama

When you’re practising in someone else’s car, you can opt to be added as a named driver to their insurance policy. However, if you have an accident and a claim is made, you could then affect their no claims discount.

But, if you opt to get Veygo’s Learner Driver Insurance, it removes any risk to their no claims bonus. This is because it’s standalone cover in your name; you’re not being added as a named driver.

You can take it out as a rolling monthly subscription, which makes it perfect for practising until you pass. There’s no annual tie-in, and it lets you get those hours in when you can.

But, if all you need is a quick practice top-up, then you can also get short-term cover from as little as an hour. This can be used on different cars, so it’s a great option if you don’t have just one vehicle you borrow to get yourself test-ready.

Pre-test prep

As your test day approaches, here are some pre-test rituals to keep your stress levels low.

Ready for the road

Passing your driving test comes down to smart prep, not luck. By tracking your practice hours, protecting your supervisor’s no claims bonus, and going in prepared, you give yourself the best shot at a first-time pass. Take it one step at a time, and you’ll be out on the open road solo before you know it.